Unforgettable Black Mountain Restaurants Worth The Day Trip
The best Black Mountain restaurants promise all the meats, spicy Thai food, and the most unforgettable Cuban cuisine in Western North Carolina. See where to eat surrounded by farm animals. Devour gluten-free and vegan donuts. Uncover our favorite dining spots, conveniently located just 25 minutes from Asheville.
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Best Black Mountain Restaurants We Love
As Asheville locals, we eat in Black Mountain multiple times a month to avoid crowds and soak in the cozy, artsy atmosphere. From devouring an entire fish on a mini-farm to authentic Cuban brunch, these are just a few places we enjoy. Afterward, visit Lake Tomahwak, shop in Downtown Black Mountain, and grab a coffee or ice cream. Find more things to do on our Black Mountain activities and attractions guide.
The Bush Farmhouse
Hands down, The Bush Farmhouse is one of the most unforgettable restaurants in Black Mountain with its unique South African cuisine, South African wine selection, and farm animals. If we could give them a Michelin star, we would. We take all our out-of-town visitors here and make (terrible) jokes that they can pick out their pig to eat. I live for the oxtail soup, and the whole fish is a go-to dish for Tom.
Find diverse breakfast options, including lox, sausage rolls, and French toast. Devour small bites like wings, crab cakes, and grilled octopus. For lunch or dinner, savor sandwiches, mains like ribeye, and savory dishes such as curries and whole red snapper. Sit inside or out, and make reservations during peak hours.
The Bush Farmhouse | 151 S Ridgeway Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Cousins Cuban Cafe
Experience the most authentic Cuban cuisine at Cousins Cuban Cafe. Raised in Miami, the cousins behind this counter-service cafe bring traditional family recipes to the area. Tom and I love going on a late Sunday morning for guava mimosas and a mojo pork bowl filled with fried plantains and beans. I always crave their yucca fries with vegan aioli. Cousins Cuban Cafe serves tapas, salads, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Enjoy a classic Cuban sandwich with coffee.
Cousins Cuban Cafe | 108 Broadway Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Berliner Kindl German Restaurant
For Black Mountain restaurants serving the best meats for lunch and dinner, Berliner Kindl boasts terrific German cuisine and wine. We celebrated Tom’s 40th birthday here, which says it all. Sit in what feels like your grandma’s kitchen. Our go-tos include the schnitzel and German sausages, especially those brats. I’ll never turn down potato pancakes. For lighter options, find schnitzel sandwiches, a BLT, grilled cheese, or a German-style hamburger. Don’t forget traditional sides like red cabbage and potato salad. Find reasonable prices and great service at this kitschy gem.
Berliner Kindl German Restaurant | 121 Broadway Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Trailhead Restaurant & Bar
Where do the locals eat in Black Mountain? Trailhead Restaurant & Bar, which is also family-friendly. Enjoy the perfect blend of dive bar vibes and local brews, ideal for post-hike lunches or dinners with unbeatable prices and generous portions. The menu features sandwiches, salads, tacos, and dinner entrees named after Western North Carolina’s stunning hikes and waterfalls. A serious contender for top burgers near Asheville, visit during non-peak times for a more relaxed experience.
Trailhead Restaurant & Bar | 207 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
The Pure And Proper
Who knew that dining in a former gas station could be so romantic? The Pure And Proper is one of the best restaurants in Black Mountain for date night. We love sitting in the cozy wine cellar, but they also have an outdoor patio and gorgeous dining room.
As an all-day eatery, start with coffee and street waffles. For lunch, select from small plates like salads and Brussels or sandwiches. We suggest a relaxed fine dining dinner experience, perfect for special occasions. We love their menu items like beef tartare and flat-iron steaks paired with grilled asparagus and seasonal salads. Did we mention the craft cocktails and terrific wine list?
The Pure And Proper | 114 E State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Thai Basil
Thai Basil is great for Thai cuisine, promising authentic Thai noodles, salads, rice, and soups in a small, unassuming space. Tom will almost always order Pad Thai (gluten-free options available), and my go-to is Pad See Ew. More menu items include pineapple fried rice, curries, spicy eggplant, and specials. Opt for outdoor seating in the courtyard or enjoy the vibrant interior. The budget-friendly menu promises large portions, often leading to fridge leftovers. Just look for the chili pepper icon for spice levels (with colitis, this is important to me).
Thai Basil | 227 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Foothills Grange
Nothing beats those local Foothills’ meats, 20 years and going strong; we already miss their Asheville brewery food trucks. Newer to the Downtown Black Mountain restaurant scene, Foothills Grange is a great place to bring the entire family, including Fido. Their massive outdoor patio with optional covered seating boasts a kids’ play space. Along with top-notch, seasonal craft cocktails and local beer, enjoy sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and salads. I’d kick off spring in WNC here!
Foothills Grange | 120 Broadway Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Sake Sushi
For sushi restaurants in Black Mountain, everyone highly recommends Sake Sushi, which is always jumping. Located in quaint Cheshire Village, select from fresh sushi rolls, noodle entrees, and bento boxes. Start with popular sushi appetizers like edamame, gyoza, spring rolls, and fried tofu. Sake Sushi’s lunch special features teriyaki and tempura-filled Bento boxes or two and three-roll sushi combos. Dinner entrees and specials include wine and bacon glazed scallops, yellow chicken curry, and ginger shrimp. Enjoy fried rice, soups, and stir-fried noodles.
We like dining on the outdoor patio. Just be careful what you order; the menu item description hasn’t been accurate for us and some (surprise) ingredients end up on our plates – that we didn’t really want.
Sake Sushi | 6 E Market St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
More Area Restaurants To Try
More popular restaurants in Black Mountain to try include:
- La Guinguette
- Blue Ridge Biscuit Company
- Veranda Cafe
- Black Mountain Bistro (formerly Black Mountain Pizza & Ale)
- The Black Bear Tavern
- My Father’s Pizza & Pasta
- Que Sera Restaurant and Tayloe’s Oyster Bar
- Fresh Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta
- Open Oven Cafe
Cafes, Coffee Shops, and Desserts
If you are looking for light bites, coffee, pastries, desserts, and more, these are our favorite places. We also have a Black Mountain drinking guide featuring breweries and our favorite distillery.
The Dripolator Coffeehouse
With gluten-free and vegan treats, grab a coffee or tea at The Dripolater. A top coffee shop in the Asheville area, The Dripolater offers a variety of pastries, smoothies, frappes, and coffee brews. I love ordering a dairy-free London fog or latte. We stop in almost every time we are in town. Be sure to follow their amusing Facebook page where they handle trolls with sass. They have multiple locations across Western North Carolina.
The Dripolator Coffeehouse | 221 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Hey Hey Cupcake
Run by two sisters, grab a box of cupcakes at this delicious dessert spot. Or, put in your customized cake order. Hey Hey Cupcake’s flavors include everyday regulars like Old School Birthday and Chocolate. They switch out specialty flavors seasonally. Best of all, Hey Hey Cupcake also has a few vegan and gluten-free cupcake options. Just keep in mind that they have extremely limited hours, usually opening around the weekend. Tom adores their GF cupcakes topped with dairy-free frosting, by request.
Hey Hey Cupcake | 102 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe
We have Hop cafes all over Asheville and love them for dessert, especially for their vegan and gluten-free ice cream and toppings. Of course, they also have dairy selections. While The Hop in Black Mountain is tiny, grab a cup of ice cream and sit outside to people-watch on one of the benches.
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe | 114 Cherry St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Dough House
It is rare to find both vegan and gluten-free donuts around Asheville, which is exactly what Dough House is about. While not all donuts are gluten-free, they are made to order. Dough House also serves coffee and chai. Enjoy a small seating area to devour the goods or take a dozen home. We certainly do; they freeze pretty well. Read more about the best vegan spots around Asheville.
Dough House | 601 W State St Suite 3, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Our Top Places To Eat Black Mountain
If we had to narrow it down to 5 best Black Mountain restaurants, we’d go with:
Where do you love to eat in Black Mountain? Who serves up the best brunch? Makes the best pizza? The most mouth-watering burger? Let us know in the comments! We are always looking for new spots to try and frequently update our articles.
More Posts About The Black Mountain Area
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
I love all the recommendations. One you missed though… Blue Ridge Biscuit. The best breakfast sandwich i’ve had in recent memory. The cathead biscuits are large enough that you’ll want to skip lunch. Delicious and they serve Dynamite roasters to make great even greater!
Hey Carl, We actually have this one is our little “even more restaurants” box for now (there are so many good ones!); thanks so much for sharing your favorite! We really appreciate it!
I have to get my burger fix at Mac’s in Black Mountain!
Nothing beats a delicious burger! Thanks for sharing.
Ciao Y’all food truck near the Pizza Machine has great fresh made pastas and delicious paninis!
Thanks for the recommendation!
How could you miss My Father’s Pizza they are a favorite for pizza and subs.Locals and visitors both come back again and again.
Thanks for sharing your favorite!
Black mountain bistro. Porch and patio seating. 16 years running family owned. Menu has a little bit for everyone a must try !
Yes! Thank you so much for sharing which Black Mountain restaurant you love. We and our readers appreciate it.
The Bistro and Louise’s Kitchen are favorites of mine.
Thank you for sharing! We’ll have to try Louise’s Kitchen. It looks super sweet!
@Christine, no one mentioned Red Rocker Inn…it is still there isn’t it? I raised my family in Black Mountain and lived there for almost 30 years. Retired from the school system there. Black Mountain Primary was an awesome place to work. We loved Red Rocker. Hope it’s still there!
Hi Martha, The Red Rocker Inn is still there. My husband and I will have to plan an overnight there soon. Wow, 30 years! I’m so glad you loved living and working in Black Mountain. Thanks so much for sharing.
I like Berliner Kind’l the best authentic German food. The owner is the sweetest lady you can met
Yes! They serve up delicious German food, and their staff is so nice!